Give Jeremy Brett A Posthumous BAFTA Award

BAFTA 4 JB is a partnership of several people from around the world, who are campaigning to see that Jeremy Brett, one of Britain's best-loved actors, who died in September 1995, is given the recognition he deserves for his 41 years of acting on stage, TV, and film, by asking BAFTA to give him a Posthumous Award. Within 3 weeks of starting our campaign, we gathered over 500 signatures from all over the world. This in itself was a testament to the love and respect that Jeremy Brett has for his master-class acting career. Most noticeably we have the support of many people and societies, some highly influential. To name but a few of them: actors Stephen Fry, Edward Hardwicke, David Burke, Timothy West, author Paul D. Gilbert, and several Sherlock Holmes Societies, including The Sherlock Holmes Society of London, the exclusive and upon invitation only Baker Street Irregulars Society, and La Société Sherlock Holmes de France and its chairman, Thierry Saint-Joanis, who, in 1993-1994, successfully campaigned to have Jeremy awarded the French Légion d’honneur.Very early on in our campaign, we were notified that our early success had been highlighted to BAFTA, who responded by saying that they do not award Posthumous BAFTAs after a certain length of time. We find itis morally wrong for BAFTA to only give an award to someone who has recently died, but not honour those who died earlier. It is an insult to everyone in the world of acting and show-business, and it is also an infringement on the very notion of equality. It should be known that there is also precedence for Posthumous Awards from foreign award bodies such as the Academy Awards, and also the French Césars, who, at their 1987 ceremony, honoured the outstanding actor Jean Gabin, who passed away in 1976.

We know that there is a lot of feeling from many people around the globe regarding the fact that Jeremy Brett was never honoured during his lifetime. We would like to underline the fact that it is not just the fans who feel this way, but also fellow actors. Mr. Edward Hardwicke, who starred alongside Jeremy in Granada Television’s successful Sherlock Holmes series, has frequently voiced his disappointment and surprise at the fact that no BAFTA was awarded Jeremy for his outstanding performances throughout his career.

We are asking you to help us to persuade BAFTA to recognise Jeremy Brett's contribution to stage, film, and television. We think it is time to finally applaud the legacy left behind by one of Britain's best-loved actors.

Comment

Great Jeremy Brett - a very remarkable actor. With his interpretation of Sherlock Holmes he gave us the best Holmes ever, most compelling, enchanting, unforgetable. He made Holmes became alive in a way, no one did ever. Splendid! Elementary! But I can't sign that petition, it does not work... sadly...